New Smyrna hits 19
September 06 2008 | Jim's Blog,
by Jim
I paddled out yesterday on a longboard and surfed Tabletops in Solana Beach. I was by myself because it was dusk and the waves were tiny.As I sat there on a 9'8" Bing Pintail Lightweight nabbing waist high peelers and watching a glorious late summer sunset, my mind turned to sharks. The recent attack by a white took place a stones throw from where I was. But the odds were in my favor so I wasn't too worried.
If I was in New Smyrna the odds would have been different. They just had their nineteenth shark attack this year. Yep. 19 hits this year. Wow.
When I was in New Smyrna a year or so ago I sat there on the beach and looked at the water. I asked a local "what's all that splashing?" and the answer was "those are sharks." I then said something to the effect of "ahhh... that's happening right next to the lineup" and then I was schooled on the local currents, sand flow, cloudy waters and ongoing numerous shark attacks.I have one wish for the crew in New Smyrna.
May you never see 20 (attacks that is).
More.
photo: roger simms/AP
